Do you sit in a Regular Church?
Most Christians today who go to a Church that is a regular large size congregation are VERY comfortable not having to hear the Holy Spirit for themselves… because their Pastor tells them what they think they should know. Their pastor IS the Holy Spirit for them.
What they don’t understand is the current American Christian religious system promotes that paid spiritual leadership are BETTER in hearing the Holy Spirit than you are. Why exactly?
They went to seminary. That academic education somehow allows them greater access to the Holy Spirit. Studying the scriptures somehow makes their soul better attuned to hearing the Voice of God no matter where they stand with God. They can study the scriptures and interpret them anyway they like … because they went to seminary … that makes them an expert on what the Holy Spirit is saying. They can sit in gross sin that NO ONE but God knows about … and still preach the Word of God for you personally… because they ARE your spiritual leader / guide. They are better at hearing the Holy Spirit because they have a ‘title’ called Pastor, or collar, or big salary, or a radio show, or large social media following.
They get ‘paid’ to hear the Voice of God – so they MUST know it better than anyone else… right?
They play golf and go to prayer breakfasts with so many other pastors that also supposedly hear the Voice of God. So just being around so many others who supposedly hear Him of course that must rub off on them … somehow.
They give sermons every Sunday … even if they’ve bought it off the internet… that’s okay and makes them so close to the heart and Voice of the Holy Spirit .. because of their passionate delivery from the pulpit.
These pastors have such a huge following on the internet AND in the local Sunday morning services … they must be God’s chosen Voice … for you personally.
I just have one question for you … dear reader….
Do you think you’ll be allowed to point to that pastor or spiritual leader when you stand before the throne of God at the end of your life and are judged for every word and action of yours … and blame them – when God asks you why you didn’t listen to Him?
Learn this…
Church isn’t a building. Church isn’t just a ‘group’ of people listening to a religious talk.
The word for Church in the scriptures is … the true spiritual Body of Christ.
What did Jesus say….?
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20 NKJV
If you haven’t learned to hear Him for yourself… personally, inwardly, at the very core of your being.. then who exactly is leading you… spiritually? Do you think God will excuse you because of that … at the end of your earthly life?
Why haven’t you pursued His Voice for yourself in your innermost being?
Jesus said… “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
John 10:27 NKJV
How exactly do I grow in learning to hear His Voice?
Intimate familiarity. That’s the key. Relationship over time. Through the rough times. Through the challenges. Through children. Through dreams. Through laughter. Through teamwork. Through the resolve to CHOOSE to … love. Through constant communication (that means honest desperate prayer). Through heartfelt pursuit.
Who is the conduit for that connection?
The Holy Spirit.
How do we enter into that relationship?
John, Jesus’ cousin said… “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11 NKJV
“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:14-17 NKJV
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? ” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”
Acts 10:44-48 NKJV
“Jesus said… “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 11:13 NKJV
Have you asked Him to baptize you with the Holy Spirit?
Who is the Him? John Jesus’ cousin told the whole world who would baptize those that asked Him.
Jesus also said… “I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30 NKJV
What are you waiting for?
You NOW have the information and truth… the decision and the choice is now up to you.
… or you can remain stubborn and blind BY YOUR CHOICE … and be comfortable sitting in that congregation every Sunday patting yourself on the back thinking “I’m a good person BECAUSE I go to this building and service. God must love me because I do this. My pastor IS my spiritual connection to God.”
Yeah… not for me.
Ask yourself this … what really is your motivation to be sitting in that Church every Sunday morning? Why is it you are really giving your tithes? Is it because the Holy Spirit really told you to? Or is it because that’s what you’ve been taught and made to believe? Will we get eternal credit for doing things — He actually didn’t ask us to do … personally?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
Then if you’re really brave .. ask the Holy Spirit why you’re still sitting there … in that pew, chair, building, and still not deeply pursuing Him in your personal intimate life… daily?